1- Introduction to the Genus Actinidia Lindl. - Kiwifruit genus

1.2- Genus Actinidia Lindl. - Kiwifruit genus+ OverviewActinidia is a genus of woody and, with a few exceptions, dioecious plants native to temperate eastern Asia, occurring throughout most of China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, and extending north to southeast Siberia and south intoIndochina. The genus includes shrubs growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall, and vigorous, strong-growing vines, growing up to 30 m (98 ft) in tree canopies. They mostly tolerate temperatures down to around -15°C (5°F), and some are much hardier. The leaves are alternate and simple, with a dentated margin and a long petiole. The flowers are solitary or in axillary cymes, usually white, with five small petals. Most of the species are dioecious with separate male and female plants, but some aremonoecious. The fruit is a large berry containing numerous small seeds; in most species, the fruit is edible. In particular, this genus is known for the species Actinidia deliciosa, the kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberry, and for the hardy ornamental Actinidia kolomikta.

+ Uses Kiwifruit is a cultivar group of Actinidia deliciosa, and hardy kiwi is the species Actinidia arguta, which has small fruit weighing 10-15 g (0.35- 0.53 oz), with green edible skins and green flesh; it is hardier than Actinidia deliciosa. Some species are grown as ornamental plants, notably Actinidia kolomikta. In Japan, Actinidia polygama (silver vine) is noted for having an effect on cats much like that of catnip. It is mentioned in the saying (neko ni matatabi, jorō ni koban) "silver vine to a cat, a coin to a prostitute", meaning to put someone in a good mood by providing that which they most desire. Actinia kolomikta is the hardiest species (to about -40°), and has distinctive white - and pink - variegated foliage even on wild plants, an unusual phenomenon. Its fruit is very small, weighing 8 g (0.28 oz) or less.

3- Kiwi fruits

3.1- OverviewKiwifruit (often shortened to kiwi) or Chinese gooseberry is the name given to the edible berries of several species of woodyvines in the genus Actinidia. The most common cultivar group of kiwifruit ('Hayward') is oval, about the size of a large hen's egg (5-8 cm (2.0-3.1 in) in length and 4.5-5.5 cm (1.8-2.2 in) in diameter). It has a fibrous, dull greenish-brown skin and bright green or golden flesh with rows of tiny, black, edible seeds. The fruit has a soft texture and a sweet but unique flavor. It is a commercial crop in several countries, such as Italy, New Zealand, Chile, Greece, and France.

3.2- Etymology Early varieties were described in a 1904 nurseryman's catalogue as having "...edible fruits the size of walnuts, and the flavour of ripe gooseberries..." and Europeans called it the Chinese gooseberry. In 1962, New Zealand growers began calling it "kiwifruit" when exporting; the name becoming commercially adopted in 1974. The word kiwifruit and shortened "kiwi" has been used since around 1966 when the fruit was first imported from New Zealand to the United States. Kiwifruit has since become a common name for all commercially grown fruit from the genus Actinidia. In New Zealand, the shortened word "kiwi" is seldom used to refer to the fruit, as it usually refers to the kiwi bird or the Kiwi people.

3.3- History Kiwifruit is native to north-central and eastern China. Cultivation of the fuzzy kiwifruit spread from China in the early 20th century to New Zealand, where the first commercial plantings occurred. Although kiwifruit is a national fruit of China, until recently, China was not a major producing country of kiwifruit, as it was traditionally collected from the wild. The fruit became popular with American servicemen stationed in New Zealand during World War II and later exported to California using the names "Chinese gooseberry" and "melonette". In 1962, New Zealand growers began calling it "kiwifruit" to give it more market appeal, and a California-based importer subsequently used that name when introducing the fruit to the American market. See also: Kiwifruit industry in New Zealan

3.4- Cultivars The genus Actinidia contains around 60 species. Though most kiwifruit are easily recognized as kiwifruit (due to basic shape) their fruit is quite variable. The skin of the fruit varies in size, shape, hairiness, and color. The flesh varies in color, juiciness, texture, and taste. Some fruits are unpalatable while others taste considerably better than the majority of the commercial varieties. The most common kiwifruit is the fuzzy kiwifruit, from the species Actinidia deliciosa. Other species that are commonly eaten include golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis), Chinese egg gooseberry (Actinidia coriacea), baby kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta), Arctic kiwifruit (Actinidia kolomikta), red kiwifruit (Actinidia melanandra), silver vine (Actinidia polygama), purple kiwifruit (Actinidia purpurea).